Cross County Medical Staffing

ABSTRACT

“Low Morale, How it Affects Employees and Productivity –

Low Cost Effective Morale Boosters”

Prepared by Sandra Jackson

Cross Country Staffing is a medical staffing company in Boca Raton, Florida, the company supplied hospitals with nurses and medical staff. It was known as one of the largest medical staffing organization conglomerate. However, the company faced a great down turn with the introduction of Manage Care left hospitals with no choice but to down size, resulting in less demanded for skilled medical workers and nurses. Cross County Staffing employees fled in droves to companies that could offer better security or changed their careers, those that stayed were stigmatized and dealt with low morale and job security the

Introduction

Currently Cross County Staffing has immerged as one off the largest leading medical staffing organizations under the guidance and leadership of Joseph A. Boshart, through his recognition, focus and acknowledgement of front line workers, those who have direct contact with prospective clients and businesses. His mentor was W. R Grace, what Boshart took away from his mentor’s teaching was his devotion and loyalty to all of his employees.

In 1992 Cross County Staffing had an 80% turnover rate of employees (2000, p 3). The staff had no interest with staying with the company and those that remained, did not put much effort in to their positions that they held due to their low morale and the instability of the company. The company was in a downward spiral and by 1999 was auctioned off and was now owned by a new organization.

Boshart took specific steps in communicating with his staff who remained troubled but loyal.

Steps that he took instead of looking to cut cost or increasing profits:-

1. He met with all his employees

2. He answered all their questions honestly

3. He showed great concern for them and their families that depended on them.

4. He empower and included employees in decisions

It can lead to reduced productivity, reduced revenue, high staff turnover, and more. According to Sirota Consulting, the share price of low morale companies saw only three percent increase in price versus an industry average of sixteen percent” (p 1) As reflected in studies by other companies “Several studies find not only do employees experience steep losses in morale after restructuring programs, they also judge those programs to be much less successful than management does.” Further demonstrations and studies found that, “Reengineering systems and processed in one thing, but reengineering employee attitudes in another. “ (Begley, 1995,